CN says goodbye to Baraga
- MQT1223
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CN says goodbye to Baraga
Sounds like CN is pulling the plug on the mothballed section of railroad between L’Anse and Baraga. Per a post on the YooperRails group on Facebook the town was notified last month.
How long has it been since anything even went to Baraga? 10-15 years maybe? Wondered why the line wasn’t offered to Watco like everything else.
How long has it been since anything even went to Baraga? 10-15 years maybe? Wondered why the line wasn’t offered to Watco like everything else.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Until around 2014/15 or so, the L'Anse train overnighted at Baraga. Since then, I do not think they have been past L'Anse.MQT1223 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:15 pmSounds like CN is pulling the plug on the mothballed section of railroad between L’Anse and Baraga. Per a post on the YooperRails group on Facebook the town was notified last month.
How long has it been since anything even went to Baraga? 10-15 years maybe? Wondered why the line wasn’t offered to Watco like everything else.
No filings with the STB yet.
Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
maybe because cn kept the line to l'anse?
and it wouldn't be profitable for someone to operate an isolated section of a couple miles of unused track?
no filing to abandon has been filed with the stb.
wisconsin central had filed and received discontinuance of service.
and it wouldn't be profitable for someone to operate an isolated section of a couple miles of unused track?
no filing to abandon has been filed with the stb.
wisconsin central had filed and received discontinuance of service.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Correct, they can just take the line out of service. That actually has been the status quo for years. So I'm not sure why any notification to the City would be made now, unless perhaps an advanced warning of intent to abandon. But who knows, we don't have anything concrete here to begin with.DaveO wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:46 pmmaybe because cn kept the line to l'anse?
and it wouldn't be profitable for someone to operate an isolated section of a couple miles of unused track?
no filing to abandon has been filed with the stb.
wisconsin central had filed and received discontinuance of service.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
The filing is coming. About 4 miles of track.
- MQT1223
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
I was referring to the whole lineDaveO wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:46 pmmaybe because cn kept the line to l'anse?
and it wouldn't be profitable for someone to operate an isolated section of a couple miles of unused track?
no filing to abandon has been filed with the stb.
wisconsin central had filed and received discontinuance of service.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Mike H is in charge of finding transload business
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
When was the last time Baraga actually had a rail served customer? I have always wondered about that.
By the way, go get ‘em Mike H (regarding transload opportunities - if anyone can, it’s Mike H!!)
By the way, go get ‘em Mike H (regarding transload opportunities - if anyone can, it’s Mike H!!)
Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Maybe cuz they wanted to keep the lineMQT1223 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:02 amI was referring to the whole lineDaveO wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:46 pmmaybe because cn kept the line to l'anse?
and it wouldn't be profitable for someone to operate an isolated section of a couple miles of unused track?
no filing to abandon has been filed with the stb.
wisconsin central had filed and received discontinuance of service.
Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
I believe the last customer was Beese which loaded pulpwood behind the now closed Terex Handlers plant near the end of the line. I believe this ceased around 2009/2010.David Lang wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:50 amWhen was the last time Baraga actually had a rail served customer? I have always wondered about that.
By the way, go get ‘em Mike H (regarding transload opportunities - if anyone can, it’s Mike H!!)
Here is a 2007 video of a CN train actually crossing N Superior Avenue at the very end of the line:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V846R8xvxaE
CertainTeed, Convergen Energy/L'Anse Warden Electric (burns railroad ties), and Koppers are still major customers in L'Anse.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Is Terex the old Pettibone plant? And in L'anse, they still have Celotex, correct?
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Yes and yes. Also, the cogeneration plant in L’Anse receives used railroad ties and might be the second largest customer after the mine in Humboldt.
joeyuboats wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:47 pmIs Terex the old Pettibone plant? And in L'anse, they still have Celotex, correct?
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
THANK YOU!
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
From ground level it can be difficult to tell which gondolas are bringing in used railroad ties and which ones are empties for new tie loading. Maybe they use the same ones.
Nancy Haun frequently posts videos on YouTube of the twice a week CN local into L’Anse.
Nancy Haun frequently posts videos on YouTube of the twice a week CN local into L’Anse.
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Sure didn't seem like they wanted anything else up there!kd_1014 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:26 amMaybe cuz they wanted to keep the lineMQT1223 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:02 amI was referring to the whole lineDaveO wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:46 pmmaybe because cn kept the line to l'anse?
and it wouldn't be profitable for someone to operate an isolated section of a couple miles of unused track?
no filing to abandon has been filed with the stb.
wisconsin central had filed and received discontinuance of service.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
You & AARR are too kind to me. There is definitely some potential business in Baraga. I’ve identified about 400 cars of potential business, but I think it could be as big as 600 cars. It’s definitely enough to justify saving the line & CN is aware of this. I still have a lot of hope that the line will be saved.David Lang wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:50 amWhen was the last time Baraga actually had a rail served customer? I have always wondered about that.
By the way, go get ‘em Mike H (regarding transload opportunities - if anyone can, it’s Mike H!!)
Mike H
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Just like I said...the amazing Mike H!!
Of course we realize the word "potential" is being used here, but let's hope the new business materializes and CN buys in.
Of course we realize the word "potential" is being used here, but let's hope the new business materializes and CN buys in.
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Re: CN says goodbye to Baraga
Part of the problem is that CN will want higher margins, greater volume, and consistency than a shortline would typically tolerate. There was a study undertaken awhile back about pulpwood transportation around the UP and northern Wisconsin and the team found little rhyme or reason to the freight rail rates, largely from CN. They ultimately wanted volume, consistency and margin. There’s a reason most of the lesser pulpwood sidings have stopped shipping.